u/AdTrue7240

I (M17) have had bad reflux since I was around 11. Recently I went to a doctor and got famotidine for GERD, which helps a lot.

While looking online, I read that after about 5 years of untreated GERD, Barrett’s esophagus can develop. That really scared me, and now I’m worried I might have it. I’ve had pretty severe symptoms for years, including reflux multiple times a day, sometimes lasting hours. I’ve vomited from it and woken up at night because of it.

Should I get checked and have a gastroscopy done? What’s the actual risk of developing Barrett’s in my situation? Do people usually need to take medication for life?

My parents never really took my health seriously. They wouldn’t even replace my asthma inhalers when I ran out, I’m not even sure if I still have asthma. I was checked at 8, and I’ve never had spirometry done.

Back in 7th grade I was being heavily bullied by one guy. After I stood up to him in class, during a break, in front of everyone, he grabbed me by the throat, started choking me until I almost blacked out, and then threw me on the floor. He was about 1.5 years older and around 180 cm tall, while I was about 150 cm, so it wasn’t easy to fight back.

A girl I liked, who had flirted with me before and showed interest, stopped talking to me after that situation. Later I even saw her biting her lower lip while looking at him with clear interest. Everyone in my class saw what happened. I lost all the respect other guys had for me, and some of them even started bullying me too. Girls stopped talking to me and would giggle when they saw me.

This happened in Eastern Europe, where teachers and parents didn’t really care. A school counselor saw part of it and quickly walked away, probably to avoid getting involved.

When I talked with other guys online who were bullied, they reported very similar experiences: teachers didn’t care, friends cut contact, and girls started mocking them. All of them were from Russia though. On the other hand, they said bullies often got the opposite treatment. Even teachers, especially women, paid more attention to them and were kinder.

I’m wondering if it’s because this kind of behavior is subconsciously seen as a sign of “good genes” or “bad boy appeal,” so people treat formidable guys better even if they say otherwise. I’ve seen some research on NIH that seems to support this idea.

I should also add that before the physical attack, he was making threatening gestures during class. The teacher saw it but didn’t react, to avoid dealing with the situation.

I’m wondering if this is something almost universal in public schools, or if it’s more specific to Russia.

TL;DR: I was bullied and humiliated in school, lost social standing, and noticed others treated the bully better. Is this a common pattern or something specific to my region?

I’m a 17M with severe allergies to grass pollen. Even when I take medication, mowing the lawn gives me a really runny nose. I need at least three packs of tissues with me, and my eyes get red and watery.

When I was younger, I always mowed the lawn. It sucked, but I still did it. Our yard is pretty big since we live in a village. My mom likes doing things outside and spends time gardening, but I feel bad. I don’t have any physical disabilities, I’m a strong guy, and she’s a short woman in her 40s doing not really satisfying physical work.

I’m not sure how to feel about it. Should I just suck it up and do it myself, or let her do it and try to accept that it isn’t morally wrong? It makes me feel way less masculine and like a spoiled brat, even though I help her in other ways and do other physical tasks.